Pet Haven

Long Or Short Haired Dog?

Long-haired dogs look great. The kind of dogs that you would love to cuddle and pick up. But alas they offer a number of distinct disadvantages. If you’re thinking of getting a long-haired dog, such as a Shetland sheepdog (the ones that look like mini Lassie’s), then give this a read and see what the pros and cons are. PROS. 1) If you are single and you walk around with a cute long-haired dog on a lead, members of the opposite sex WILL suddenly find you very attractive. It’s been proven throughout history and it’s unlikely to change any time soon, so if you’re married and want to stay married, beware! 2) Long-haired dogs require a lot of maintenance. If you don’t like the idea of having to groom your dog properly at least once a week (maybe more in some cases) then maybe you should consider another breed? 3) Because of their long hair, this kind of dog requires a bath much more often than a short haired dog would. How often? That depends. But if you’re dog develops a penchant for jumping in filthy rivers, then you either better get used to keeping him or her on a lead or consider hacking that fur off. 4) Long haired dogs stink. I’m sorry, I know that sounds harsh, but they really do. There’s really not much you can do about this. 5) So, to recap, long haired dogs are generally much more maintenance than the short haired variety. When considering getting a new dog, think about how much time you have and whether or not you can make that commitment. Just as people keeping horses must consider the space needed, the man hours required and all the little things such as food delivery and equine insurance, you too must carefully consider your circumstances before committing to getting a long haired friend. If you need any advice, contact a relevant animal charity or shelter before making the plunge.

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Advice On Grooming Long-Haired Dogs

So, you’ve been thinking about getting a dog for years and now, finally, after deciding that you can afford the pet insurance, you have been giving lots of thought towards the breed that best suits your manic (or not) lifestyle, you have settled on a Shetland Sheepdog: that’s right, the loveable little lassie-type dogs that look so cute and have that amazing lion’s main fur that everyone on the street can’t help but want to stroke! Then you get the dog home and on the way to the front door it rains. Of course it does, you live in the north of England. By the time you get little Benny in the house, his back legs are a shaking and he’s dripping water everywhere and that’s only the start of this horror story… Many people who decide upon long-haired dogs find that actually it isn’t as much fun as they thought. Here are some things to look out for:
1) Fake ears: that’s right people, I said FAKE EARS. Sometimes the hair behind the ears can build up in to a fluffy fur ball that looks almost identical to an extra pair of ears! No word of a lie! To avoid this brush the dog regularly to curb the build-up.
2) Invest in proper combs and brushes: it’s no good using an old hair brush to get through thick fur and hair. It just won’t do. Investing in the proper tools makes your job so much easier.
3) Put your dog on a table when you brush him / her. That way you won’t do your back in and put yourself off doing this for life.
4) If you find it’s too much hassle, have no fear, there are always experts who will be happy to sort your little fella or lady out.

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Dog Parks – Where Every Dog Has Its Day

Not everyone can boast a sprawling backyard where they are free to let their dog go to play around in. Apartment dwellers especially are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to space for pets. Dogs regardless of their size need enough room to move around and live comfortably. They need their share of daily exercise too. Living in cramped spaces with no fresh air and no exercise can make them irritable and edgy and that is not a very safe thing especially if you have children in the house. You have the option of just taking your dog out for a walk down the street but that would get quite boring for you and your pet over a period of time. You may have parks around you, but not all public parks allow dogs inside. Dogs are fun loving animals and if you have decided to bring a dog home, it is but expected that you allow it the freedom and fun that it deserves.

To the rescue of people who face this dilemma, you now have exclusive dog parks in many places. I can recommend a great one by my Bridgend property. Dog parks could either be exclusive or specific enclosures within public parks and are specifically designed to provide a fun place for dogs to enjoy some bonding time with their owners. Not everyone is fond of dogs and parents who bring children to the public parks may not want dogs prancing around while their little ones play. Dog parks therefore are ideal places that offer both the dog owner and the dog the opportunity to exercise and spend time together unhindered by law, public sentiment or local regulations.

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Doggie Nail Care

How does your dog respond to having its nails clipped? Even the most laid-back and relaxed dog can object quite forcibly when it sees the nail-clippers being taken out of the drawer and, no matter how quietly you approach this job, few dogs are happy about a nail care routine. The best way to approach the problem is to buy a good pair of proper dog nail clippers. It makes the job so much easier as a dog’s claws are usually quite thick and a quick clip is far more tolerable to the dog than sawing away with a pair of scissors, no matter how sharp they are. Even though this is something that is sometimes seen as vet nurse jobs, it is fairly easy to do at home if you follow these simple steps:

Where to Cut

If your dog has white nails it is easy to see where to cut. The problem comes when your dog’s nails are black. It’s not that dog nail care is difficult; it’s just that many owners are concerned about where to cut. However, if you place your index finger behind the dog’s nail you should be able to see where it begins to curve around your finger. Allow a few millimeters for the cuticle and then cut.

Quicker the Clipper

The end result leaves your dog’s nails looking reasonably straight, with no obvious curve. Smooth any rough edges with an ordinary emery board. When you get used to dog nail care you should have enough confidence to clip off the exact amount with no trouble at all. In the long-run, this is far less stressful for both yourself and the dog: as far as the dog is concerned, the quicker this task is done the better!

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How to Rid Your Cat of Fleas

All cat lovers would agree that there is nothing more painful for a cat than to suffer from fleas daily. It is very important therefore to get rid of these fleas in order to let it lead a happy life.

Fleas once manifested on cats do not only stick to them, they take your whole house hostage to their menace. In order to get rid of the fleas from your cat, you would need to clear your whole house of any fleas. It would be a good idea to take your cat to the vet, who would clear the cat of all fleas and also apply a cream that would protect your cat from future flea attacks. You may need to leave your cat overnight at the vet’s clinic for treatment, most people working vet jobs have been trained in this, and fleas are something that is encountered with frequency during the summer months. You can however make use of this time to get your house disinfected also so as to welcome your cat back to a flea free house.

There are many products that you can purchase over the counter at shops that will help you remove fleas from the house. It is very important to clean your house properly and shampoo the carpets, curtains and other furnishings in the house regularly to keep the house free of fleas.

The bedding of the cat should also be washed in warm water regularly to get rid of any fleas that may be present on it. To keep your cat away from fleas, it is also advised that you comb the body of your cat with a wide toothed comb regularly to get rid of any unnoticeable fleas from its body. It is also important to try to keep your home a little cool as fleas tend to multiply and prosper in hot and humid conditions. Now let your cat have a flea-free life.

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Cat Convert

As someone who’s grown up almost entirely pet free, getting a cat was a pretty big step. Now, I will never look back.

We’ve had Honey, a Persian Chinchilla cross – which technically makes here a pure Persian – for a little over three months now and despite the copious amounts of fur deposited all over the house, and the regular interruptions to our sleeping patterns, I can no longer imagine the house without her in it.

There’s just something about the companionship and love that you get from a cat that makes everything just that little bit better. I’ve never been particularly soppy, but with such a cute cat around the place that has changed fairly dramatically. I struggle to think of anything she does that isn’t cute.

Probably my favourite thing is when she is “stalking”something. She will hunch up, ready to pounce, eyes on the prize (usually her jingly snake toy…) and just before she attacks she will wiggle her bum like a cartoon cat before making an attack. Once completed, she will normally just lick whatever it is she’s caught. I dread to think how she would survive in the wild.

Even the garden is a big adventure for her. The cleanest cat in the world, who will do anything to stay out of the dirt. It’s a good job we have a row of little flagstones that she can hop between so as not to get her paws dirty!

So, fur aside, and her crazy late night antics notwithstanding, I have fallen head over heels for Honey, which is why I was so terrified the day she hurt her eye and had to hunt down somewhere with approriate vet nurse jobs to look at her. She’s just lucky she’s so darn cute!

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Dog Accessories – Unleash the power of the dog lead

There is no doubt that a dog really can become your best friend and remain a faithful companion throughout the years. Whenever you feel sad or have a bad day, there is nothing more rewarding than the excited eyes and wagging tail of your beloved pooch who is always happy to see you and is able to turn that frown upside down within minutes. When you purchase a new dog, it is easy to want to ‘go walkies’ and buy a whole heap of goodies that your four legged friend may never use, so take a ‘paws for thought’ before purchasing the entire pet store and review the essential items that your new dog will need.

First and foremost will be a lead but making a selection from the hundreds of designs on offer could drive you barking mad. Most dogs brush along nicely with leads made from traditional leather or nylon. These come in both retractable and standard form. Longer leads are perfect for obedient dogs as they allow them the freedom to wander off and sniff out some interesting hunting ground. A new dog however, will notice that all trees have bark and may be harder to control on a long lead. Shorter dog leads allow you to become top dog and keep your dog at heel.

Secondly, you will need to purchase a dog collar. This is absolutely vital if you want to keep yourself out of the dog house. Since the Control of Dogs Order came into fruition back in 1982, it is illegal to own a dog that is not wearing a dog collar and ID tag. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £5000. Be warned, you will find yourself seriously spoilt for choice when choosing a dog collar. You could dress your canine companion up like a dog’s dinner with a cool, funky design or opt for a more sophisticated number. To purchase the correct collar for your dog, measure around the circumference of his neck and add on an extra two or three inches. Ensure that the inner part of the collar (the part which makes contact with your dog’s skin) is soft enough to prevent chaffing. The last thing you want to do is walk around the streets with an angry dog who looks like Growlcho Marx! So put your dogs comfort before any designs which simply look good now thrown in some new running clothes for the owner, and you and your dog will make pet ownership a ‘walk in the park’.

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What To Feed Your Baby Tortoise.

Although there a variety of different tortoises, the basic diet for a baby tortoise is just about the same. So what is the diet for a baby tortoise?

Think green, or natural. You can feed them a variety of plants, vegetables, and fruits. This can include are everyday food items such as cabbage, tomatoes, and fresh fruits. Be sure to check with your local vet first to make sure you aren’t feeding them something potentially harmful as every tortoise is going to be slightly different in regards to their diet.

You can also feed them certain wild flowers such as dandelions, as most wild tortoises are used to scraping for food and will eat just about anything they can get their hands on.

A good motto to go buy when it comes to feeding them is, “If I wouldn’t eat it, I wouldn’t feed it to them.”Now naturally that only applies to the fruits and vegetables, as most humans wouldn’t, in their right mind, eat dandelions. You must also be sure to supply them with a good source of water, and make sure it is clean. Bottled water would be a good start for your tortoise, as it is not too expensive, and doesn’t have to be changed daily unless your tortoise defecates in its drinking supply (and they do tend to do that from time to time.)

Those are just some basic elements of what to feed your baby tortoise, and if you have any further questions or concerns, check with vet jobs uk, not to mention other locals who may own a tortoise of some sort as most pet owners are willing to aid in educating new parents. Stick to these basics, and you’ll have a friend for life.

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How To Deal With Territorial Aggression In Cats

Since cats are naturally territorial and will become quite aggressive with other cats who try to claim their stakes, it is essential to find different ways to help your cats become less aggressive with each other. Sometimes, this can be a rather difficult feat. However, there are several ways to curb such aggressive behaviour when you have two or more cats, I got this advice from a good friend of mine who works in vet jobs uk:

First, you must understand that territoriality is a natural, instinctual issue with cats. Trying to eliminate territoriality is like trying to stop your cat from clawing the furniture. You can limit the act, but you cannot eliminate it.

One thing that cats are very territorial about is their eating area and food dishes. If you have two or more cats, it is important to give enough space between each cat’s food and water dishes. Many cat owners forget this simple idea, which always results in their cats fighting for territory. Many even use only one food dish for all of their cats. This must be avoided. Give more than ample space between eating areas, perhaps even in different rooms of your home.

Another important territorial issue is the cat litter box. Once again, you should have one litter box for each cat; avoid using one litter box for all of your cats. This way, each of your cats will be able to claim these two very important territories, which will in turn cause less fighting in the future.

Sometimes fighting is unavoidable, but there are ways to change such acts. Keep a spray bottle close by so that when your cats begin fighting, you can spray them with water, which all cats hate. But it is imperative that your cats don’t see you actually spraying them. Keep it a mystery, that way they will naturally associate fighting with getting sprayed with water.

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What to Do If You Are Allergic To Your Dog or Cat?

Are you allergic to your dog or cat or pet? If yes, then it is time that you should adopt certain measures to prevent such allergic reactions. The pets are carriers of several allergens like dander, mites, dusts and other such things that can cause allergy to the owner and children who spend time with the pets. If you are allergic to your dog or cat, you should adopt the following few simple methods to live in harmony with the pet.

Keep the pet outside or away from your bedroom. You should not allow the animal to sit or sleep on your bed or sofa. Dander gets transferred to bed and sofa easily that can cause allergic reactions on your body. Don’t use upholstered furniture in your room where the pet is regular too, such furniture too easily transfer dander.

Use room purifier sprays to remove the airborne animal dander and body hair and other such allergens that the pet carries to your room. Use Vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter to trap the dander and allergens properly and make the room allergen free. Always keep the room clean and tidy. If your pet enters a room and spend some time there on the floor, clean the floor with disinfectants to keep the allergens.

Keep your pet clean and tidy by regular washing and bathing. There are shampoos that can be used to remove the dander from the bodies of pets. Wash your hands properly with soap and paper hand towels that can be thrown out after handling the pet or playing with it.

If you feel the allergic symptoms severe and recurrent, consult a doctor to find the exact cause of allergy that you suffer from. The physician would give you the best solution to tackle with the allergies and also prescribe medicines to cure them. Thus, this is how you should deal with allergy from dog or cat.

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